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Golf Course News: Golf Course Architecture

Fifth hole at Augusta National could soon be lengthened

The fifth hole at Augusta National Golf Club could soon be extended after preliminary site plans were filed to the Augusta Planning and Development Department.

A report from The Augusta Chronicle indicates that the tee box for tournament play could be pushed back by between 20 and 30 yards.

The move would help alleviate congestion around the fourth green and current fifth tee, which are separated by only a few yards.

The proposed site of the tee box is on land currently on the other side of the Old Berckmans Road, which has been closed to through traffic since 2015. If the plans go ahead, this road would be rebuilt and curve around the new tee box area.

The work’s approximate start date would be 1 May according to the reports. This would be after the 2018 Masters, which takes place from 5-8 April. The end date for the proposed work is 1 November 2018.

If given the green light, the project would be the first work on the course in over a decade not to be dictated by weather events. Six holes were lengthened on the course in 2006.